However, the news came as more of an orange light to driving school operators and those wanting to get a Learner’s Permit or Probationary Licence, as the backlog of tests is set to be a bump in the road for many.
VicRoads’ priority will be to re-book those in regional Victoria whose appointments were postponed in March due to the initial coronavirus restrictions, leaving those without an appointment waiting until the backlog is cleared.
Cobram’s Two States Driving School owner Tash Bignell welcomed the re-commencement of testing but said she was concerned about the thousands of people waiting to do their tests.
“There’s around 30,000 people waiting,” she said.
“They are obviously not all in our area, but as to whether we will have to wait for the rest of the state to catch up for people to be able to book a test is unknown.
“These kids that have turned 18 when this all started are probably going to be 19 by the time they get their licence.
“I think it affects the kids in the country more than the city because they don’t have trams and trains and the abundant amounts of public transport city people have.”
Victorian Roads and Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll said there were about 5000 licensing appointments postponed across regional Victoria, with a further 25,000 people unable to book a new test since testing was suspended.
Ms Bignell was forced to shut down her business during the first lockdown and struggled to cross the border to teach driving lessons during the second lockdown.
“VicRoads shut down license testing, but they kept priority testing, so we had a few dribs and drabs coming through, throughout the two lockdowns,” Ms Bignell said.
“But normally VicRoads would test two days a week and do six tests per day in Cobram.
“It’s had a fairly big impact on the business and it has certainty reduced the amount of lessons we have done, for sure,” she said.
Cobram resident Tae Watt-Fotia was one of the lucky ones who was prioritised by VicRoads. She was able to take her test and obtain her licence during the second lockdown.
“I needed my licence for my work and to take deliveries across the border,” she said.
Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy has called on the Victorian Government to commit more resources to fast-track testing, such as expanding staffing numbers and the number of testing days in regional areas and making the Learner Permit test and the P-plate hazard perception tests available online.
“A lot of our young people have been very patient about this, but now the switch has been turned back on there should be plans in place to make up for all the lost time instead of taking the slow road,” Mr McCurdy said.
“We need to increase the number of tests available to ensure people do not face months and months more waiting, when some have already been waiting since March.”
A government spokesperson said VicRoads anticipated new bookings would be able to be taken in November and was investigating options to increase access to online registration and licensing services to help reduce the backlog.
More local news
Candidate nominations finalised for election
Cobram schools wait in anticipation for return to on-campus learning
8°C